Effects of the Use of High Alert Drug Using Guideline on Nursing Practicum and Peripheral Vein Phlebitis in Medical Sub-Intensive Care Unit, Songkhla Hospital

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aims to study the effects of the use of a high alert drug-using guideline high-risk dosing guidelines on nursing practicum and peripheral vein phlebitis in the semi-critical care ward in Songkhla Hospital from February to December 2019. The representative samples were professional nurses who took responsible for 18 patients using high alert drugs. The research instruments consisted of 1) a personal data questionnaire, 2) a nursing practice knowledge test, 3) a care practice assessment form, and 4) an incident record form. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics comparing knowledge scores using paired t-test statistics, performance score comparison using the one sample t-test, and comparing the incidence of venous inflammation using incidence rate.

It is found from the research that after using the guideline, the nurses became knowledgeable about high-risk medications rather than before applying the guidelines. The results were statistically significant (t = -1.86, p = .04). The score of the use of the preventive practice in order to avoid peripheral venous insufficiency was higher to 80% than the threshold statistically significant at the .05 level (t = -2.06, p = .02) and the incidence of venous inflammation decreased from 11.12 times per 1,000 dosing days to 2.88 doses per 1,000 dosing days.

The results of the study suggest that healthcare workers should strictly hold the standard guideline for the prevention of venous inflammation and should be trained regularly to improve the problem as well as find ways to prevent and improve the quality of care for patients to be safe from the occurrence of venous inflammation.